Method of and apparatus for making belts



16 v c. A. METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR MAKING BELTS Filed Sept. 14, 1931 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 0 1721/9722507" Ukarlefl uZBwZZ Jan. 16, 1934. c. A. BALL METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR MAKING BELTS Filed Sept. 14, 1931 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 l'nvevzfor Jan. 16, 1934. c. A. BALL 1,943,409

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR MAKING BELTS Filed Sept. 14, 1931' 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 QR m v a l N. QN 4 \\-m Ira/672,607" 6%a/7-Zs,5 vLZaZZ Attorrzg C. A. BALL METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR MAKING BELTS Filed Sept. 14, 1931' Jan. 16, 1934.

5 Sheets-Sheet 4 frzverzzfor 6%arZe5 JLBaZZ Att /"76 395 Jan. 16, 1934. c. A. BALL 3,

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR MAKING BELTS Filed Sept. 14, 1931 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented Jan. 16, 1934 UNITED STATES METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR MAKING BELTS Charles A. Ball, Chicago, Ill., assignor to Chicago Belting Company, Chicago, 11]., a corporation of Delaware Application September 14, 1931 Serial No. 562,649

/ 5 Claims.

My invention relates to an improvement in the method of and apparatus for manufacturing belts and has for one purpose the provision of a means and method for forming belts of a plurality of pieces of material, for example leather. One object is the provision of improved means for applying an adhesive to the separate belt pieces. Another object is the provision of improved means for applying pressure to the opposed portions of the pieces to be joined. Another object is the provision of improved means for feeding the belt, or the joined pieces of belt. Another object is the provision of improved control or operating means whereby an operator may actuate the various parts of the mechanism employed. Another object is the provision of improved timing means for timing the various operations. Other objects will appear from time to time in the course of the specification and claims.

I illustrate my invention more or less diagrammatically in the accompanying drawings, where- 1n- Figure l is a general plan view;

Figure 2 is a general side elevation;

Figure 3 is a plan view of a unit of the adhesive treating means;

Figure 4 is a side elevation of the structure of Figure 3 with parts in section;

Figure 5 is a top plan view of the press actuating unit;

Figure 6 is a side elevation of the structure of Figure 5 illustrating the casing in section;

Figure 7 is a section on the line 7-7 of Figure 6;

Figure 8 is an end elevation of the reel mechanism; I

Figure 91s a partial end elevation showing the parts in-a different position; and

Figure 10 is a detail.

Like parts are indicated by like symbols throughout the specification and drawings.

Referring to the drawings, A generally indicates any suitable supporting member, for example a table, upon which'the pieces to be assembled may be positioned. It may include for example the legs or supports A andthe braces A. A is another similar table or support. A A indicate belt guiding arms, connected by a cross piece A", which are adjustably mounted on a shaft or rod A at the outer end of the table A. It will be understood that these arms may be adjusted apart to receive belt of varying width.

Positioned between the two tables is any suitable press structure. It may include for example the lower press body or base B, the supports B dicated as having thereon the A-frame D which the upper press body B the pressure cylinder B the plunger 13*, and the press head proper B It will be understood that the members B and B may have relative movement imparted thereto in any suitable manner, in order to effect pressure against articles positioned therebetween. Since the details of the press do not of themselves form part of the present invention the press is more or less diagrammatically indicated. Any suitable pressure source may be employed and I illustrate for example an inlet line B and. an exhaust line B which may communicate with any suitable valve housing B in turn connected by the line B with the pressure chamber or member B whereby movementmay be imparted to the press head B C generally indicates a reel carriage which may include abase C mounted for example on the rollers C C C indicate any suitable upwardly extending supports upon which are I mounted the bearing sleeve 0 in which is rotatably mounted any suitable reel shaft C which rotates the reel or drum C C are any suitable guide members which may be positioned upon the drum for example by penetration of the aperture C. which permit adjustment of the members 0'' to a variety of widths of belt. 0 indicates a detent ratchet wheel adapted to be engaged by the sliding pawl member 0 whereby undesired retrograde movement of the reel C is prevented. The end of the shaft C may be squared as at 0 D indicates a stop or abutment member having the extending sides D D. The side D is inincludes the bearing sleeve D in which is rotatably mounted a shaft D having a terminal socket D apertured to receive the squared end C of the shaft C The shaft 13' is of such length in relation to the bearing D that when it is advanced, for example manually, into the position in which it is shown in Figure 8, its aperture receives the member C and thereby locks the reel carriage from movement away from the stop D. The shaft D may be kept in such locking relationship as for example by the hinged member D which fills the space between the enlargement D and the bearing sleeve D, as shown for example in Figure 8. Thereby the reel 0 is maintained in operative relationship with the shaft D Mounted for rotation with the shaft D is the feed ratchet wheel D the teeth of which are engaged by the dog D which is pivoted to the pivot stirrup D". I will be understood that the stirrup D" is pivoted substantially concentrically with the axis of rotation of the shaft D The stirrup may be moved by the control rod D which in turn is pivoted to the control lever D positioned adjacent the press. It will be understood that an operator standing at the press may advance or reel in on the reel C by drawing the upper end of the lever D to the right, referring to the parts in the position in which they are shown in Figure 2. Thus a single operator may actuate the press and at the same time actuate the reel C It will be understood that in the use of the device a plurality of sheets of material E may be employed. Each such sheet, for example of leather, is bevelled on each end as at E E the bevels at opposite ends of each piece being preferably on opposite sides of the piece. In order to form the completed belt, and starting with one of the sections E, it may be laid in the position in which it is shown at the left of the table A, with the bevelled face E up. Upon this bevelled face E any suitable adhesive may be positioned, and then the bevelled face E of the adjacent piece is laid upon it and the two joined pieces are advanced to the press to be subjected to pressure. In the ordinary operation of the device. the belt so formed is reeled in on the reel C and the operator, before and after each pressing operation, actuates the lever D to reel in the belt and draw the pieces into position in the press.

In practice I may employ sheets of celluloid as the adhesive. Whatever adhesive may be employed I find it advantageous to provide a sheet cut to about the right size for the lap joint between adjacent pieces of leather. The sheet material used as adhesive is normally inactive (not adhesive) and to render the same adhesive it is dipped or immersed into any suitable liquid or medium capable of rendering the sheet adhesive and it is then manually applied to the lap joint between thebevels E and E and the pieces so joined are then moved into the press to be pressed. In order to obtain a belt of uniform strength, uniformity in the applied adhesive and in the application of pressure is of vital importance. As an example of an advantageous adhesive I employ sheets of celluloid of controlled size and thickness. I may for example use a sheet of celluloid 5/1000 of an inch thick. Such sheet, before use, is immersed in an acetone bath and the timing of the immersion is of vital importance. With a sheet of celluloid of the above thickness an immersion of four seconds is satisfactory to properly soften the sheet and render it adhesive, and I provide means for automatically and precisely timing the immersion.

I may for example provide a tank or container G, as shown in Figures 1 and 2 and in greater detail in Figure 4. Positioned adjacent the tank G is a housing G which may have a cover G and a base plate G The housing or casing is cut away as at G G indicates a bracket to which is pivoted a dipping lever G having an inner lever arm (3.

The outer arm projects through the slot or aper-- wishes to employ the device he may manually clip or insert the adhesive sheet G? and he then presses down on the knob G thrusting the device into the full line position, and thereby inserting the sheet G in the acetone bath present in the container G. When he so inserts the device the arm G extends the spring 6 and itself passes over the forward stop end H of the cam and stop lever H which is pivoted as at H on the bracket H and which is normally held in the full line position in which it is shown in Figure 4, as by the spring H As long as the parts are in the full line position of Figure 4 the sheet G is held beneath the surface of the acetone bath.

J indicates any suitable motor with a pinion J in mesh with the gear J which in turnrotates a pinion J in mesh with a second gear J which in turn controls the cam wheel J carrying the cam projection J. The wheel and cam projectionare aligned with the cam portion H of the lever H. Normally this portion H engages the periphery of the wheel J which holds the stop member H in the full line position of Figure 4 and keeps the sheet G in the acetone bath. The actuating circuit for the motor J includes the lines J J which circuit may be closed by any suitable switch J which in turn is actuated by a contact J engaged by an opposed adjustable contact J upon the arm J which is associated with the dip arm or lever G Thus, when the operator depresses the knob G to position the sheet G within the liquid he at the same time closes the motor circuit and the motor, through the above described gear reduction, rotates the cam wheel J until the cam projection J engages the member H and flips the member H up past the portion G of the lever G This permits the spring G to actuate and draw down on the lever G thus raising the lever G to the dotted line position and withdraw'ng the sheet G from the bath. This at the same time-breaks the motor circuit and leaves the parts in position for the next cam excursion. J indicates an air recoil cylinder with a plunger therein associated with the shaft J which in turn is pivoted as at J to the lever G whereby the upward movement of the dip arm is cushioned. The air recoil cylinder is effective to prevent an unduly sudden withdrawal of the lever G and the sheet G from the bath. I thereby obtain a precisely timed immersion of the sheet G into the bath and the operator then withdraws the treated sheet from the clip and places it upon the lap joint between two adjacent belt pieces E. He then actuates the reel in the earlier described manner, by employment of the lever D and positions the joint within the press.

It is of great importance that the time of subjection to pressure be uniform and I therefore provide timing means for controlling the time of subjection to pressure and for causing the pressure to release. Positioned upon the fixed press head B I illustrate a housing or casing K having an upward and outward top or extension K K indcates a motor which drives a cam shaft K through a gear reduction including pinion K gear K pinion K and gear K". Any suitable bearing means may be provided for the various parts of the gear reduction. Mounted for rotation with the cam shaft K is the cam roller or wheel K with the cam projection K It will be understood that any suitable three way valve is positioned within the valve housing B This valve may be controlled by any suitable all exterior stem L. Secured to the valve stem is the arm L which is provided with a manual handle L. The valve stem is operated by rotation and it is understood that the arm L and the handle L therefor rotate about the longitudinal axis of the valve stem, incidentally rotating the valve stem as they are rotated. L indicates any suitable stop means for limiting one outer end of the arc of rotation of the arm L. The other end of the arm L is provided with a contact plate L which may be opposed to the tail L of the.cam lever U, the opposite end L" of the cam lever engaging the cam roller K and the cam projection K. The cam lever is pivoted intermediate its ends as at L on any suitable bracket L", and is normally held in the full line posit'on in which it is shown in Figure 7, as by the coil spring L". L is any suitable emergency manual control lever the purpose for which will later appear. It is also pivoted as at L and includes an inner arm L with a contact member L engaging the tail- L of the cam lever. It will be understood that this manual control member L may be employed to depress the portion L of the cam lever L to clear the member L and thereby to release the cam for rotation and to release the arm L for rotation into the dotted line position. L indicates a pad or cushion upon the abutment bracket L It will be understood that the spring M normally tends to hold the arm L in the dotted lne position and in fact always tends to lift the arm when it is in full line position, to the limit of the stop L M indicates a switch in a circuit including the lines M M n which circuit the motor K is included. M M indicate the leads to the power line and M a manually operable switch whereby the power for the device may be shut off.

In the operation of the device at the beginning of the excursion of the press, before pressure is admitted to actuate the press the parts are in the dotted line position of Fi ure 6 with the handle L in generally horizontal position.

, When the operator wishes to exert pressure he manually moves the handle U to the full line position and thereby depresses the arm L against the spring M. to the full line position in which it is shown in Figure 6. He thereby closes the switch M by forcing the contact M" associated' with the arm L against the actuating switch member M. This closes the cicruit for the motor K and initiates the rotation of the cam roller K When the cam roller starts its rotation, the parts are in'the full line position of Figure '7. It effects a complete revolution and the cam member K then kicks up the opposed portion L of the camlever and thereby frees the opposite end L? from the end of the arm L The spring M then swings the arm L back into the dotted line position. It will be understood that when the operator swings the arm L into the full line position he thereby opens theinlet .B and admits the pressure to the chamber B or inoperative position. The gear reduction is so proportioned as to cause actuation of the press.

for any desired period, the timing being uniform. For example about 15 seconds in the press is effective for the employment of the adhesive above discussed. The motor K imparts such rotation upon the reel, thus drawing the belt section which to the cam roller K that at the end} of 15 seconds the cam releases the control lever or arm L which is then drawn by the spring Minto inoperative position. Thus the operator by one movement of the control handle L not only actuates the press, but also actuates the timing means which causes the .press to release at the end of the desired period.

, During this period of, for example, 15 seconds, the forward end of a given strip of leather is gripped by the press and pressure is being applied to the lapjoint which has last been previously treated with one of the immersed adhesive sheets. During this 15 second interval the operator applies the cement or adhesive to the free end of the clamp belt strip and presses the forward end of the next following belt strip on it. When the press releases, the operator actuates the reel C and winds in the finished belt was last cemented forwardly across the surface of the second table A and at the same time positioning the joint about to be pressed in alignment with the press, Thus a single operator is performing three functions, namely, reeling in the finished belt, actuating and,timing the press, and applying the cement for thejoint next to be pressed. This positive timing enormously speeds up the process of belt manufacture. It also insures a uniform product, as every joint is treated with an identical cement and is subjected to an identical pressure for an identical pe riod. The work of the operator is simplified in controlling the press, since he has to make but a single movement, the actuating movement, which 1 also starts the timing mechanism. His work in preparing the cement is co spondingly simplified, as the celluloid sheet is aculmaticaly with drawn at the proper instant. Finally, the employment of distant control for reeling in the belt saves the operator many steps and consequently-speeds up the operation.

When suflicient belt has been reeled in upon one of the reels C or when a run of belt is completed, the operator, or a second operator, may bodily remove the reel C and its supporting structure by dropping the member D intothe position in which it is shown in Figures 9 and 10. The shaft D is then moved away from the reel C freeing the squared end C of the shaft C The operator can then wheel the carriage C bodily away. It will be noted that the reel actuating mechanism is on a fixed base and therefore is not removed with the reel, and a new reel, with its supporting base or truck, can be wheeled into place almost instantaneously if necessary.

The function of the emergency control leve' L is to permit manual release of pressure prior to the time at which it will be released by the automatic control means. In other words the manual lever L can be employed to do at any time what the cam member K does at a particular time interval.

It will be realized that whereas I have described and shown a practical and operative device, nevertheless many changes may be made in size, shape, number and disposition of parts without departing from the spirit of my invention. I therefore wish my description and drawings to be taken as in a broad sense illustrative and diagrami455 matic rather than as limiting me to my specific showing. In particular I do not wish to be limited to the employment of any specific adhesive or thickness of adhesive or to any specific bath as a variety of adhesives and a variety of baths may be lot employed. Also, the details of press, reel and supporting table may be widely varied.

I claim:

1. In a belt manufacturing mechanism, a press and means for actuating it, and control means for the press including a manually operable handle and means actuated by the handle for terminating the operation of the press a predetermined time after actuating of the handle; including means tending normally to move the handle to inoperative position, restraining means adapted to resist said last mentioned means, and means for rendering said restraining means inoperative, in-

cluding a motor and a circuit therefor, and means for closing said motor circuit when the handle is moved into operating position.

2. In a belt manufacturing mechanism, a press and means for actuating it, and control means for the press including a manually operable handle and means actuated by the handle for terminating the operation of the press a predetermined time after actuation of the handle, and

additional manually operable control means for' terminating the operation of the press at any time.

3. The method of manufacturing belts by joining in succession shorter pieces of leather to each other to form a longer piece, which includes subjecting an inactive adhesive sheet to immersion for a predetermined period in a liquid softening medium, terminating said immersion and said period at a predetermined time in relation to the application of pressure to the joints between the individual pieces of leather, applying, substantially immediately upon the termination-of its immersion, said sheet to a joint between adjacent pieces of leather to be joined, thereafter and substantially immediately subjecting said joint to pressure, maintaining said pressure for a determined time, and thereafter advancing the joint so formed from the zone of pressure and continuing the process by similarly joining additional pieces of material to the belt so formed, and so timing the periods of pressure and the periods of immersion that when one joint has been completed and advanced from the pressure zone an adhesive sheet is ready for immediate application to the ensuing joint.

4. The method of manufacturing belts by joining in succession shorter pieces of material to each other to form a longer piece, which includes subjecting an inactive adhesive sheet to immersion for a. predetermined period in a medium capable of rendering said sheet adhesive, there after, within a predetermined period, applying said adhesive sheet to a joint between adjacent pieces of material, thereafter substantially immediately subjecting said joint to pressure and terminating said pressure after a predetermined period, and similarly joining the ensuing pieces, and so timing the initiation of pressure and the initiation of immersion that when one joint has been completed and freed from the zone of pressure the adhesive sheet for the ensuing joint is ready for immediate application thereto immediately prior to subjection of the joint to the ensuing pressure.

5. The method of manufacturing belts by joining in succession shorter pieces of material to each other to form a longer .piece, which includes subjecting an inactive adhesive sheet to immersion for a predetermined period in a liould softening medium, thereafter, within. a predetermined period, applying said adhesive sheet to a joint between adjacent pieces of material, thereafter substantially immediately subjecting said joint to pressure and terminating said pressure after a predetermined period, and manually moving the belt forwardly through the zone of pressure after the termination of said pressure, and similarly joining the ensuing pieces, and so timing the initiation of pressure and the initiation of immersion that when one joint has been completed and freed from the zone of pressure the adhesive sheet for the ensuing joint is ready for immediate application thereto immediately prior to subjection of the joint to the ensuing pressure.

CHARLES A. BALL. 

